This year’s Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week officially launched at South Bank, Brisbane, this week, unveiling the country’s biggest ever program of heavy vehicle events and activities and the largest display of zero-emissions vehicles in the southern hemisphere.
HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking said this year’s event will be the biggest and the most innovative heavy vehicle events program to be delivered in Australia.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the launch of this year’s program. It is a tremendous honour and thrill to host Queensland’s biggest business-to-business event, which is expected to contribute $40 million to Queensland’s economy,” he said.
“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance and support we receive from the Queensland government and Brisbane City Council who work with us to deliver this world-leading industry event.
“With an extraordinary program of informative, interactive and educational activities we expect 40,000 attendees to the Brisbane Truck Show over four days, filling over 70,000 hotel room nights across the city.”
Hacking said that a key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and environmentally friendly transport.
“We will feature the future of heavy vehicle technology including the largest display of zero-emission vehicles in the southern hemisphere including hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, hybrids, renewable diesel and much more.”
Volvo Group Australia president Martin Merrick said the event is an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse of the future of transport, a vital industry that lies at the heart of the Australian economy.
“It is no secret that we are on a zero-emissions journey both globally and locally,” Merrick said.
“By 2030, at least 30 per cent of the new trucks we sell globally will be either electric or utilising a zero-emissions power source.
“We intend for that figure to rise to 100 per cent by 2040.
“Electric trucks will bring lower running costs, lower emissions, and more choice for trucking operators.
“But most importantly they make our cities and urban environment a better place to live and work. We are expanding our electric offering with a view to manufacturing heavy electric vehicles right here in Brisbane by 2027.”
Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor, Krista Adams said the Brisbane Truck Show was a major business and tourism drawcard for the city.
“Brisbane City Council is a proud supporter of this event, which has grown to become a highlight on the city’s jam-packed events calendar,” Cr Adams said.
“Brisbane is a vital hub for road transport and the logistics industry, which supports thousands of jobs for locals.
“The Brisbane Truck Show will also be a massive boost for the events industry, attracting 40,000 people to the city thanks to an exciting line-up, including free and affordable events for the whole family.”
Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week 2023 activities
Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week 2023 will run from May 15-21 (Monday to Sunday). The week incorporates the following heavy vehicle events:
- Brisbane Truck Show (BCEC)
- South Bank Truck Festival (South Bank Parklands)
- Mack Anthem Truck built by LEGO bricks as a Guinness World Record attempt
- Rock on Riverside Live @ South Bank concerts
- Electric Avenue – zero-emission truck display on Little Stanley Street
- National Apprentice Challenge at the South Bank Piazza
- Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show (Brisbane RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hills)
- Heritage Truck Show (Rocklea Showgrounds)
Program highlights
Key highlights of the program include:
- The largest display of zero emissions heavy vehicles in the southern hemisphere
- Electric Avenue display on Little Stanley Street, South Bank
- Brisbane Truck Show (BCEC)
- Complimentary community concerts in South Bank Parklands Riverside Green
- Co-presented by Live at South Bank, Eat South Bank, QMusic
- The Superjesus and Australian Rock Collective plus many more
- The Live at South Bank program is proudly supported by the Australian Government Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund
- Full-scale replica Mack Anthem built from Lego bricks
- celebrating 60 years of Mack Trucks being manufactured in Queensland
- The battle of Australia’s best automotive apprentices at the HVIA National Apprentice Challenge, featuring a crowd of almost 2000 students from an anticipated 50 high schools to experience the diverse and rewarding career opportunities
“The heavy vehicle industry has shown incredible resilience and tenacity over the last few years, helping to keep the country moving through drought, bushfires and the pandemic. Our ability to support the largest accelerated increase in online shopping in the world’s history is a testament to the sector’s character, agility and capacity to scale and deliver in the face of extraordinary challenges,” Hacking added.
“This year we celebrate our achievements as an industry and also demonstrate our commitment to, and embrace of, innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport technology.
“We have also partnered with industry and mental and wellbeing charity, Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, to support the mental health of our greatest asset, our people.”
More information can be found at www.brisbanetruckshow.com.au.